THE season at the Northumbrian Water venues starts today, and all the reservoirs have been well stocked.

The fish will shoal tightly in the early days, staying in the same areas until the wind changes direction. So if you find a shoal - and many fish are only three or four rod lengths out - sport will be lively.

Blackton in Teesdale in the company's fly-only venue this season, while Scaling Dam is the nearest at hand for Teesside anglers.

AT LEIGHTON RESERVOIR, 76 anglers braved the cold of the opening week, catching 118 rainbows to 5lb 12oz. Lures fished deep with a slow retrieve have been best, with black or green patterns, and Dawson's Olive proving most effective.

SNOW wind and rain kept the number of anglers down at THORNTON STEWARD, but did not detract from the fishing.

The south west corner produced the majority of catches with most anglers catching limits. Lures are best, with Baby Dolls, black lures and Dawsons Olives fished with a fairly fast retrieve producing takes.

A floating line has been the most successful and only a short cast has been needed as fish are hugging the banks. The rod average is 5.3.

JUBILEE'S rod average is four, and the biggest fish of the week weighed 13lb 5oz and fell to a Bloodworm offered by James Stephenson of Great Ayton.

Lee Haslam from Stokesley also opted for Bloodworm, and caught a rainbow of 12lb 8oz.

Most fish have been taken near the surface, on Bloodworm, Black Buzzers, Cat's Whiskers, Damsels or Black Lures such as a Nomad.